Molecular Biology Of Photosynthesis

Molecular biology, particularly molecular genetics, is among the newest and most powerful approach in modern photosynthesis research. Development of molecular biology techniques has provided new methods to solve old problems in many biological disciplines. Molecular biology has its greatest potential for contribution when applied in combination with other disciplines, to focus not just on genes and molecules, but on the complex interaction between them and the biochemical pathways in the whole organism. Photosynthesis is surely the best studied research area in plant biology, making this field the foremost candidate for successfully employing molecular genetic techniques. Already, the success of molecular biology in photosynthesis has been nothing short of spectacular. Work performed over the last few years, much of which is sum marized in this volume, stands in evidence. Techniques such as site-specific mutagenesis have helped us in examining the roles of individual protein domains in the function of multiunit complexes such as the enzyme ribulose-l ,5-bisphos phate carboxylase/oxygenase (RUBISCO) and the oxygen evolving photo system (the photosystem II). The techniques of molecular biology have been very important in advancing the state of knowledge of the reaction center from the photosynthetic bacteria whose structure has been elegantly deduced by H. Michel and 1. Deisenhofer from the X-ray studies of its crystals.

Plant productivity depends upon the photosynthetic conversion of the light energy into chemical energy stored in the biomass of plants. An intermediate step in this energy conversion process is electron transfer and proton translocation. At present, several research groups are working on projects that are expected to lead to rapid improvement of our understanding of the photosynthetic process. This book is a compilation of the work being done on the applications of molecular biology and bioenergetics of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is one of the most active areas of plant science research. Advances in molecular biology technology have profoundly affected the work in this area and have opened up the possibility of manipulating the genes involved in photosynthesis. The field is expanding, and this book provides a compilation of authoritative reviews covering a variety of important issues.

With the clear writing and accessible approach that have made it the authoritative introduction to the field of molecular photosynthesis, this fully revised and updated edition now offers students and researchers cutting-edge topical coverage of bioenergy applications and artificial photosynthesis; advances in biochemical and genetic methods; as well as new analytical techniques. Chapters cover the origins and evolution of photosynthesis; carbon metabolism; photosynthetic organisms and organelles; and the basic principles of photosynthetic energy storage. The book's website includes downloadable PowerPoint slides.

Provides a thorough overview of current research with the green alga Chlamydomonas on chloroplast and mitochondrial biogenesis and function, with an emphasis on the assembly and structure-function relationships of the constituents of the photosynthetic apparatus. Contributions emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of current research in photosynthesis, combining molecular genetics, biochemical, biophysical, and physiological approaches. The 36 articles address topics including nuclear genome organization; RNA stability and processing; splicing; translation; protein targeting in the chloroplast; photosystems; pigments; glycerolipids; the ATP synthase; and ferrodoxin and thioredoxin. Further contributions address new measurements methods for photosynthetic activity in vivo; starch biosynthesis; the responses of Chlamydomonas to various stress conditions; nitrogen assimilation; and mitochondrial genetics. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Concepts of Biology is designed for the single-semester introduction to biology course for non-science majors, which for many students is their only college-level science course. As such, this course represents an important opportunity for students to develop the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to make informed decisions as they continue with their lives. Rather than being mired down with facts and vocabulary, the typical non-science major student needs information presented in a way that is easy to read and understand. Even more importantly, the content should be meaningful. Students do much better when they understand why biology is relevant to their everyday lives. For these reasons, Concepts of Biology is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand.We also strive to show the interconnectedness of topics within this extremely broad discipline. In order to meet the needs of today's instructors and students, we maintain the overall organization and coverage found in most syllabi for this course. A strength of Concepts of Biology is that instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Concepts of Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand--and apply--key concepts.

Photosynthesis is one of the most important biological phenomena on earth. The conversion of sunlight by photosynthetic organisms supplies most of the energy required to develop and sustain life on the planet. Photosynthesis is not only at the heart of plant bioenergetics, it is also fundamental to plant prod- tivity and biomass. Photosynthetic carbon fixation and oxygen evolution - rectly intervene in many environmental, including the global atmospheric CO 2 level and global climate. Therefore, it is not surprising that a large effort is devoted to photosynthesis research. Several biochemical methods of isolation, treatment, and analysis have been developed to fulfill the needs of photosynthesis research. Photosynthesis Research Protocols contains a broad range of general and fundamental me- ods that are commonly used by plant biochemists, physiologists, and mole- lar biologists. This book is thus intended as a source of information for scientists working on any of the multiple aspects of photosynthesis, and should be of great interest to a multidisciplinary field of research involving agric- ture, biochemistry, biotechnology, botany, cell biology, environmental s- ences, forestry, plant genetics, plant molecular biology, photobiology, photophysics, photoprotection, plant physiology, plant stress, etc.